I DESIGNED THIS COURSE EH

We are back on the “A” List today playing at San Roque GC in what is now called the Golden Triangle……..San Roque, Soto Grande, and Valderrama, all within a stones throw of one another about 25 minutes south of us towards Gibraltar.  I may regret our decision not to play Valderrama on the trip, but I just couldn’t justify that kind of $ for a course that some have said is past its best before date.  Well, too late now anyway.

San Roque Old Course is no slouch…..European Tour qualifying schools held here from 1993-2007 and it hosted the Spanish Open in 2005.  It has a great reputation amongst professional golfers, but with 6 tee boxes, it becomes very playable for the average golfer in a hurry……..really well prepared…….tee boxes were actually better than some of the greens we have played on, then the greens themselves are pretty slick, and for some reason, for me, very difficult to read.  Plenty long course, and a very interesting design on 340 acres, playing through the ancient Cork Oaks that dominate the landscape.  Designed by Dave Thomas……no not that one……”Take off eh, you hoser”….. the one that was a Welsh golfer, and a top player in the UK in the 50’s-60’s and went on to design over 100 courses and many of them in Spain.  I loved it, and found it to be more playable than Finca Cortesin.  You are treated well right out of your car, with plenty of staff all willing to give you a hand…….nice driving range…..huge putting green with no flags in the holes (don’t know why….asthetics?)……well stocked pro shop, that made a few sales to our group, chicken soup at the turn, good pace of play, very clubby atmosphere with many members around…….an all round great experience.

There was a little rain overnight and they have gone cart path only…….I ask for and get a blue flag, but as soon as I pull onto the fairway on #1 the cart does the I’m dead thing, and you have to crawl your way back to the path. Quick zip back to the starter who figures the satellite is out of whack and the best he can do is to turn off the GPS altogether then I can go wherever I like……done.

Tied on the feed bag with some fish and chips post round……awesome.  No need for dinner after that feed.  Home to the condo to relapse.